Dan Windham

Commuters in Harrogate may have to prepare for ‘massive disruption’ after train drivers employed by Northern Rail voted to strike over pay.

Trade Union ASLEF said that the strikes will take place on November 21 and 27 after giving Northern Rail the required seven days notice of their decision.

A spokesperson for ASLEF said that 82.2 per cent of its members voted in favour of industrial action, in an 82 per cent turnout.

Northern Rail said that the strike would cause ‘massive disruption’ to their customers should it go ahead but would ‘everything they can’ to prevent it.

Adrian Thompson, Human Resources Director, Northern Rail said: “We are disappointed that ASLEF Northern members have voted in favour of strike action despite receiving a very good pay offer of 2.7% in 2014 and 2.5% or RPI if it is higher in 2015.

“We are in continuing discussions with ASLEF and have already planned to meet next week in the hope of resolving the situation.”

Northern Rail runs services from Harrogate on the Leeds and York line and ASLEF confirmed that, should the strike go ahead, very few of these trains will run.